Fishing reel mount assembly
A modified reel and mounting assembly for attaching a fishing reel to a fishing rod. The assembly includes a cutout in the reel which conforms to the surface of the reel seat and an arcuate slot on both ends of the cutout. The cutout in the reel mates with surface of the reel seat, and the seat mounts are received by the arcuate slots. The arcuate slots create a lip which is clamped into place by the clamps of the rod seat. In the preferred embodiment, a clamp bar is also provided for increased stability.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/436,005, filed May 15, 2006. The parent application listed the same inventor.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.
MICROFICHE APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of fishing reels. More specifically, the present invention comprises a new fishing reel attachment mechanism for attaching a fishing reel to a fishing rod.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many different attachment mechanisms are known for attaching a fishing reel to a fishing rod. The most common attachment mechanism, however, is a foot/seat attachment as illustrated in
As shown in
Although this is the most commonly used mechanism for attaching a reel to a rod, the use of a foot/seat attachment mechanism such as shown in
In addition, a foot is susceptible to bending or breaking from the reel when the fishing line is periodically subjected to large amounts of tension. When the fishing line is placed under tension, the reel is pulled in the direction of the tip of the fishing rod. Over time, these forces can deform the foot or cause the attachment mechanism which attaches the foot to the reel to weaken.
Accordingly it would be desirable to have an attachment mechanism for attaching a fishing reel to a fishing rod that minimizes torque and is less susceptible to failure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention comprises a modified reel and mounting assembly for attaching a fishing reel to a fishing rod. The assembly includes a cutout in the reel which conforms to the surface of the reel seat and an arcuate slot on both ends of the cutout. The cutout in the reel mates with surface of the reel seat, and the seat mounts are received by the arcuate slots. The arcuate slots create a lip which is clamped into place by the clamps of the rod seat. In the preferred embodiment, a clamp bar is also provided for increased stability.
The present invention, mount assembly 10, is illustrated in
Cutout 20 is provided in the surface of reel 12 which faces the reel seat. In the preferred embodiment, cutout 20 is a substantially cylindrical cutout. Cutout 20 may be other shape that would conform to the surface of the reel seat, however. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the cutout 20 may be set to accommodate the diameter of the fishing rod that will be used with the fishing reel. Cutout 20 allows reel 12 to be mounted as closely to the fishing rod as possible. This minimizes the twisting torque applied to the rod when the user turns crank 24 since the displacement of the crank-turning force from the fishing rod is minimized. Cutout 20 also creates a more stable attachment by increasing the “contact” surface area between reel 12 and the reel seat. Arcuate slot 22 is included on both ends of cutout 20 so that reel 12 may be mounted to most common fishing rods with seat clamps.
Clamp bar 14 also has cutout 18 to increase “contact” surface area between clamp bar 14 and the surface of the reel seat. Cutout 18 is preferably cylindrical to conform to the surface of most reel seats. A pair of clamp screws 16 are provided to attach clamp bar 14 to reel 12. This allows clamp bar 14 and reel 12 to be tightly clamped around the fishing rod. Clamp bar 14 may also be a simple metal plate that is bent to conform to the surface of the reel seat.
The various cutouts in the surface of reel 12 are shown in greater detail in
These “cutouts” may be easily made either by hand machining or by computer controlled machine tools such as a CNC machine. They can also be cast into the reel if the reel body is made by casting. Although the term “cutout” is used frequently throughout this specification to describe these features, it should be understood that these features may also be created using molding, casting or other techniques.
To attach reel 12 to the reel seat of rod 32, lip 30 is inserted between adjustable seat mount 44 and rod 32 so that collar 38 of adjustable seat mount 44 is received in the forward arcuate slot 22. Reel 12 is held flush against the reel seat so that the reel seat is maintained within cutout 20. Adjustable seat mount 46 is then rotated about rod 32 so that it travels in the direction of reel 12. As adjustable seat mount 46 nears reel 12, lip 30 is captured between collar 40 of adjustable mount 46 and rod 32. The wall of collar 40 simultaneously enters arcuate slot 22. The user continues to turn adjustable seat mount 46 until reel 12 is firmly clamped between adjustable seat mount 46 and adjustable mount 44. Clamp bar 14 is then positioned on the surface of rod 32 opposite reel 12 and clamp screws 16 are used to attach clamp bar 14 and reel 12 together around rod 32.
The reader will appreciate that reel 12 may also be connected to rods having other varieties of seat clamps other than the clamps depicted in
Reel 12 with hexagonal cutout 56 is installed on the rod similar to the embodiment shown and described in relation to
The foregoing description is directed to a new advantageous design for a fishing reel. Because saltwater fishing reels can be very expensive, many people may prefer not to replace a properly functioning reel with a new fishing reel despite the many advantages provided by the fishing reel of the present invention. As such, it is further contemplated that an attachment device could be provided for a standard saltwater fishing reel as a retrofit solution.
Turning to
Although the preceding descriptions contain significant detail they should not be viewed as limiting the invention but rather as providing examples of the preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, arcuate slot 22 may be formed in shapes other than an arch. The mount assembly would function the same if arcuate slot 22 was rectangular although the dimensions of the rectangular slot would be different than the arch-shaped slot shown in the drawing views. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims, rather than the examples given.
Claims
1. A reel attachment device for attaching a fishing reel to a fishing rod, said fishing reel having a spool configured to rotate about a spool axis and a cutout configured to face said fishing rod when said fishing reel is attached to said fishing rod, said reel attachment device comprising:
- a. a contoured object having (1) a first end; (2) a second end (3) a convex curved surface extending between said first end and said second end, said curved surface configured to face said fishing rod when said contoured object is attached within said cutout of said fishing reel and said fishing reel is attached to said fishing rod, said curved surface configured to wrap angularly about said spool axis when said contoured object is attached within said cutout of said fishing reel; (4) a reel-facing surface lying opposite of said curved surface, said reel-facing surface configured to face said fishing reel when said contoured object is attached within said cutout; (5) a cylindrical cutout in said curved surface forming a portion of a cylindrical surface, said portion of said cylindrical surface wrapping angularly about a central axis, said central axis perpendicular to said spool axis when said contoured object is attached within said cutout of said fishing reel, said portion of said cylindrical having a forward end and a rearward end; (6) a first arcuate slot in said curved surface proximate said forward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface thereby forming a first lip between said first arcuate slot and said forward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface, said first arcuate slot configured to wrap angularly about said central axis; and (7) a second arcuate slot in said curved surface proximate said rearward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface thereby forming a second lip between said second arcuate slot and said rearward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface, said first arcuate slot configured to wrap angularly about said central axis.
2. The reel attachment device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener for attaching said contoured object to said reel within said cutout.
3. The reel attachment device of claim 1, further comprising a clamp bar.
4. The reel attachment device of claim 3, said clamp bar having a second cylindrical cutout.
5. The reel attachment device of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate slot and said second arcuate slot each have an opening circumscribed by a perimeter and a depth, said depth extending from said opening into said contoured object in a direction parallel to said central axis.
6. The reel attachment device of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate slot and second arcuate slot are concentric with said cylindrical cutout.
7. The reel attachment device of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate slot and second arcuate slot are concentric with said central axis.
8. The reel attachment device of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate slot and said second arcuate slot face in opposite directions such said first arcuate slot is configured to receive a first attachment collar provided on said fishing rod and said second arcuate slot is configured to receive a second attachment collar provided on said fishing rod.
9. The reel attachment device of claim 5, wherein said depth of said first arcuate slot extends towards said depth of said second arcuate slot.
10. The reel attachment device of claim 1, wherein said convex curved surface forms a second portion of a second cylindrical surface.
11. The reel attachment device of claim 2, said contoured object further having a first side surface extending between said first end and said second end, said first side surface having a bore configured to receive said fastener.
12. A reel attachment device manufactured by a process comprising the steps of:
- a. obtaining a contoured object having a first end, a second end, and a convex surface extending between said first end and said second end, said convex surface wrapping angularly about a first axis;
- b. milling a cylindrical cutout in said convex surface such that a portion of a cylindrical surface is formed in said convex surface, said portion of said cylindrical surface said wrapping angularly about a second axis, said second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said portion of said cylindrical surface having a forward end proximate said first end of said contoured object and a rearward end proximate said second end of said contoured object;
- c. milling a first arcuate slot in said convex surface proximate said forward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface thereby forming a first lip between said first arcuate slot and said forward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface, said first arcuate slot concentric with said cylindrical cutout, said first arcuate slot extending angularly about said central axis; and
- d. milling a second arcuate slot in said convex surface proximate said rearward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface thereby forming a second lip between said second arcuate slot and said rearward end of said portion of said cylindrical surface, said second arcuate slot concentric with said cylindrical cutout, said second arcuate slot extending angularly about said central axis.
13. The reel attachment device of claim 12, wherein said first arcuate slot and said second arcuate slot each have an opening circumscribed by a perimeter and a depth, said depth extending from said opening into said contoured object in a direction parallel to said central axis.
14. The reel attachment device of claim 12, wherein said first arcuate slot and said second arcuate slot face in opposite directions such said first arcuate slot is configured to receive a first attachment collar provided on said fishing rod and said second arcuate slot is configured to receive a second attachment collar provided on said fishing rod.
15. The reel attachment device of claim 13, wherein said depth of said first arcuate slot extends towards said depth of said second arcuate slot.
16. The reel attachment device of claim 12, wherein said convex surface forms a second portion of a second cylindrical surface.
17. The reel attachment device of claim 2, said contoured object further having a first side surface extending between said first end and said second end, said first side surface having a bore configured to receive a fastener.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 16, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventor: Charles P. Bingham (Lighthouse Point, FL)
Application Number: 12/158,000
International Classification: A01K 87/06 (20060101);